Testing System

ABSTRACT

A system for testing a mechanical input device of a wireless telecommunication device is provided, where the system comprises a pressure air regulator comprising: a receive unit comprising an inlet aperture and a first contact surface with at least one exit aperture connected to the inlet aperture; a distribution unit rotatably pivoted relative to the receive unit, the distribution unit comprising a second contact surface, which contacts the first contact surface and comprises at least two entrance apertures located at a rotational trajectory of the at least one exit aperture. The distribution unit further comprises at least two distribution apertures, each connected to an entrance aperture, thus providing pressure air when the entrance aperture overlaps with the exit aperture.

FIELD

The invention relates to a testing system for testing a mechanical inputdevice of a wireless telecommunication device.

BACKGROUND

The manufacture of wireless telecommunication devices involves a complextesting procedure where a wireless telecommunication device is subjectedto various test phases. In one test phase, a mechanical input device istested by directing a sequence of mechanical typing to the mechanicalinput device and analyzing the response of the typing.

Pressure air and cylinder-piston arrangements are typically employed todrive the mechanical typing. The sequencing of the mechanical typing istypically implemented with electrically controlled valves coupled withthe cylinders.

The great number of keys of the mechanical input devices, however,requires a complex valve system involving a great number of valves andassociated control electronics.

Therefore, it is useful to consider techniques for testing a mechanicalinput device of a wireless telecommunication device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an improved system for testinga mechanical input device of a wireless telecommunication device.According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system fortesting a mechanical input device of a wireless telecommunicationdevice, the system comprising a pressure air regulator comprising: areceive unit comprising an inlet aperture and a first contact surface,the first contact surface comprising at least one exit apertureconnected to the inlet aperture; a distribution unit rotatably pivotedrelative to the receive unit, the distribution unit comprising a secondcontact surface, the second contact surface contacting the first contactsurface and comprising at least two entrance apertures located at arotational trajectory of the at least one exit aperture, thedistribution unit further comprising at least two distributionapertures, each connected to an entrance aperture, thus providingpressure air when the entrance aperture overlaps with the exit aperture;and a rotating means for generating a relative rotation of the receiveunit and the distribution unit.

The invention provides several advantages. The invention enables asimple mechanism to distribute pressure air from a single pressure airsource to a plurality of actuators.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail withreference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a first example of the structure of a testing system;

FIG. 2 illustrates a first example of the pressure air regulatoraccording to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a second example of the pressure air regulatoraccording to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a third example of the pressure air regulatoraccording to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first example of the pressure air regulatoraccording to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a second example of the pressure air regulatoraccording to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a first example of the pressure air regulatoraccording to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a second example of the pressure air regulatoraccording to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a first example of the testing system according to anembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a second example of the testing system according toan embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 11 illustrates a third example of the testing system according toan embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, an exploded diagram of a testing systemcomprising a pressure air regulator 100 is shown. The pressure airregulator 100 comprises a receive unit 102 and a distribution unit 104.

The receive unit 102 comprises an inlet aperture 106 for receivingpressure air 108 from a pressure air source, such as an air pump or agas container.

The receive unit 102 further comprises an exit aperture 110 connected tothe inlet aperture 106, thus providing pressure air 108 when the inletaperture 106 is connected to the pressure air source.

The receive unit 102 further comprises a first contact surface 136 whichcomprises the exit aperture 110.

The distribution unit 104 comprises a second contact surface 138, whichcontacts the first contact surface 136 when the pressure air regulator100 has been assembled.

When assembled, the distribution unit 104 is rotatably pivoted relativeto the receive unit 102, thus enabling a relative rotation 134 about arotational axis 122 of the receive unit 102 and the distribution unit104. During the relative rotation 134, the exit aperture 110 rotatesalong a rotational trajectory 112 on the second contact surface 138.

The distribution unit 104 comprises at least two entrance apertures114A, 114B located at the rotational trajectory 112, and distributionapertures 116A, 116B, each connected to an entrance aperture 114A, 114B.In the example of FIG. 1, the distribution apertures 116A and 116B areconnected to the entrance apertures 114A and 114B, respectively.

At a predetermined relative rotational angle, the exit aperture 110overlaps an entrance aperture 114A, 114B one at a time depending on therotational location of the entrance apertures 114A, 114B, thusconnecting a distribution aperture 116A, 116B corresponding to anoverlapping entrance aperture 114A, 114B to the pressure air source. Atrotational angles when no overlap occurs, the entrance aperture 114A,114B contacts the first contact surface 136, and the flow of pressureair 108 into the entrance aperture 114A, 114B is reduced.

The first contact surface 136 and the second contact surface 138 arefitted so that in the proximity of the entrance apertures 114A, 114B,the first contact surface 136 and the second contact surface 138 form anair tight coupling in order to reduce the pressure air 108 from leakingto a non-overlapping entrance aperture 114A, 114B. The requirements ofair-tightness depend on the pressure of the pressure air 108 and othercharacteristics, such as the sensitivity of actuators using the pressureair 108 as a driving mechanism. Therefore, the concept of air-tightnessis a relative measure rather than an absolute measure.

FIG. 1 further shows rotating means 118 for generating the relativerotation 134 of the receive unit 102 and the distribution unit 104. Therotating means 118 may be an electric motor, a pressure air motor oranother mechanism capable of generating the relative rotation 134.

In an embodiment of the invention, the rotating means comprises a bodyfixed to the distribution unit 102 and a rotating element coupled withthe receive unit 102. The rotating element rotates with respect to thebody, thus causing the receive unit 102 to rotate relative to thedistribution unit 104.

The receive unit 102 is typically manufactured from a solid material,such as metal, plastic or ceramics.

The distribution unit 104 is typically manufactured from a solidmaterial, such as metal, plastic or ceramics.

The pressure air regulator 100 enables pressure air 108 to be providedfrom the distribution apertures 116A, 116B according to a regulationsequence determined by the configuration of the entrance apertures 114A,114B and the relative rotational speed of the receive unit 102 and thedistribution unit 104. The pressure air 108 outputted by eachdistribution aperture 116A, 116B may be applied to generate a mechanicalforce in an actuator, which applies the mechanical force to a mechanicalinput device 140 under a test.

The receive unit 102 may comprise a plurality of inlet apertures 106 andexit apertures 110, which each may have a specific rotational trajectory112. The distribution unit 104 may have entrance apertures 114A, 114Band distribution apertures 116A, 116B at different rotationaltrajectories 112.

In an embodiment of the invention, the testing system comprises pipes124A, 124B for conveying pressure air 108, and a remote actuator array126 for pressing keys 132A, 132B of the mechanical input device 140based on pressure air 108.

The mechanical input device 140 is typically a mechanical interface,such as a keyboard or a keypad, for receiving a mechanical input from auser of a wireless telecommunication device. The mechanical input device140 comprises at least one key 132A, 132B. The key 132A, 132B may beconnected to an electric or optical switch, thereby transforming themechanical input into an electric or optical signal.

The wireless telecommunication device may also be referred to as amobile phone, a cellular phone, user equipment, a mobile station, amobile terminal and/or a wireless telecommunication modem. The presentsolution is not, however, restricted to the listed devices, but may beapplied to any wireless telecommunication device connectable to awireless telecommunication network.

The remote actuator array 126 comprises remote cylinders 128A, 128B andremote pistons 130A, 130B in each remote cylinder 128A, 128B. Eachremote cylinder 128A, 128B is connected to a pipe 124A, 124B, thusreceiving pressure 108 from the pressure air source according to theregulation sequence. The pressure air 108 drives the remote pistons130A, 130B which press the keys 132A, 132B of the mechanical inputdevice 140.

The pipes 124A, 124B may be rigid or flexible metal, plastic or rubberpipes, for example, suitable for conveying pressure air 108. The use ofthe pipes 124A, 124B and the remote actuator array 126 enable thepressure air regulator 100 to be located remotely from an actual testingpoint of a testing arrangement. Furthermore, the use of the pipes 124A,124B and the remote actuator array 126 enable a pressure air outputtaken for a plurality of actuator arrays 126 from a single pressure airregulator 100.

A configuration of the remote cylinders 128A, 128B of the remoteactuator array 126 is typically selected on the basis of theconfiguration of the keys 132A, 132B.

The remote actuator array 126 is typically made of solid material, suchas plastic or metal.

With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, in an embodiment of the invention, thedistribution unit 104 forms a spherically symmetric chamber 302, and thereceive unit 102 comprises a spherical disk-like structure fitted intothe spherically symmetric chamber 302. The spherical symmetry of thespherically symmetric chamber 302 and the fitting of the disk-likestructure of the receive unit 104 enable the relative rotation 134 ofthe receive unit 104 and the distribution unit 104 while providing anair-tight fitting between the two.

FIG. 2 shows the receive unit 102 and the distribution unit 104. Aportion of the receive unit 102 exceeds the top of the distribution unit104, and another portion of the receive unit 102 is located in thespherically symmetric chamber formed into the distribution unit 104.FIG. 2 further shows a switch 200 and an indication groove 202, whichare used for monitoring the relative rotational position of the receiveunit 102 and the distribution unit 104. The switch 200 may be connectedto control electronics which control the rotating means 118. The receiveunit 102 may be attached to the distribution unit 104 with an axis 206.

With reference to FIG. 3, the distribution unit 104 may comprise aplurality of entrance apertures 302 located at the rotational trajectory112. FIG. 3 further shows the location of the inner surface 300 of thespherical symmetric chamber 302.

With reference to FIG. 4, the spherical symmetric chamber 302 isconfined by the inner surface 300 of the side wall 208. The receive unit102 comprises the spherical disk-like structure which is fitted into thespherically symmetric chamber 302. The spherical disk-like structure maybe dimensioned so that the spherical disk-like structure may be rotatedin the spherically symmetric chamber 302, and spherical disk-likestructure and the inner surface 302 form an air-insulating contact.

With further reference to the example of FIG. 4, the distribution unit104 further comprises an air inlet 204 through a side wall 208 of thespherically symmetric chamber 302. The inlet aperture 106 has beenformed in the side of the receiving unit 102. The air inlet 204 and theinlet aperture 106 are positioned so that they contact each other over apredetermined rotational angle of the distribution unit 104 and thereceive unit 102.

The receiver unit 102 may comprise a hollow band 304 around the receiverunit 102. The hollow band 304 may receive the pressure air 108 from theair inlet 204 in any relative rotational position of the receiver unit102 and the distribution unit 104. The inlet aperture 106 is connectedto the hollow band 304, and an air channel is open between the air inlet204 and the distribution aperture 116A in a specific relative rotationalposition of the receiver unit 102 and the distribution unit 104.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the inlet aperture 106 may bepositioned in the top of the receiver unit 102. In an example of FIG. 6,the receiver unit 106 may be coupled to or integrated with an adapter220 located at the rotational axis 122. The adapter 220 may be connectedto the pressure air source over an air hose, for example. The air hosemay be connected to the adapter 220 with a rotation free-mechanism,which allows relative rotation of the air hose and the adapter 220.

FIG. 6 shows an air channel 230 connecting an off-axial exit aperture110 to an axial inlet aperture 106. The air channel 230 provides apressure air transfer in a radial direction and allows a freedom tochoose the radial location of the exit aperture 110 on the first contactsurface 136. In FIG. 6, the air channel is 230 formed inside thereceiver unit 102.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an embodiment of the pressure regulator 100comprising an external air channel 210, such as a tube, connecting anaxial adapter 222 to an off-axial inlet aperture 106.

With reference to FIG. 9, in an embodiment of the invention, the testingsystem further comprises an integrated actuator array 242 for pressingkeys 132A, 132B of the mechanical input device 140 based on the pressureair 108. The integrated actuator array 242 is integrated into thepressure air regulator 100 and is operationally coupled to thedistribution unit 104.

The integrated actuator array 242 comprises integrated cylinders 248A,248B and pistons 244A, 244B. Each integrated cylinder 248A, 248B isoperationally connected to a distribution aperture 116A, 116B.

The integrated structure of the pressure air regulator 100 and theintegrated actuator array 242 provides a compact functional unit, whichmay be located in a test chamber of a testing system. The integratedstructure enables to minimize the number of pressure air inputs into thetest chamber, thus simplifying the structure of the test chamber.

The integrated actuator array 242 is typically made of a solid material,such as plastic, ceramics or metal. The integrated actuator array 242may be a disk-like structure mounted into the pressure air regulator 100with bolts or with other detachable assembling means, thus enablingdifferent integrated actuator arrays 242 to be applied with a singlepressure air regulator 100. An integrated actuator array 242 may beconfigured according to the mechanical input test device 140 to betested.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the testing system may comprise atleast one transfer channel 1A to 1L for connecting an integratedcylinder 248A, 248B to an entrance aperture 114A, 114B. The transferchannel 1A to 1L transfers pressure air 108 at the level of the secondcontact surface 138. FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the transferchannels 1A to 1L from the direction of the receive unit 102. Openingsfrom the transfer channels 1A to 1L to integrated cylinders 248A, 248Bare shown with black dots. The transfer channels 1A to 1L overlap therotation trajectory 112. FIG. 10 also shows openings 2A, 2B which leaddirectly to the entrance aperture 114A, 114B.

The pressure air regulator 100 of FIGS. 9 and 1 may be similar to thatshown in FIGS. 2 to 4.

The transfer channels 1A to 1L enable the integrated cylinders 248A,248B to be located freely according to the key configuration of themechanical input test device 140 to be tested.

In an embodiment of the invention, the testing system comprises atransfer unit 240 between the distribution unit 104 and the actuatorarray 242. The transfer unit 240 comprises a transfer channel 1A to 1Las a groove on the surface of the transfer unit 240. A groove side ofthe transfer unit 240 is faced with the distribution unit 104, and theside with openings is faced with the integrated actuator array 242. Thetransfer unit 240 is typically made of a solid material, such asplastic, ceramics or metal. The transfer unit 240 may be a disklikestructure mounted in the pressure air regulator 100 with bolts or withother detachable assembling means, thus enabling different integratedactuator arrays 242 to be applied with a single pressure air regulator100. The transfer unit 240 may be configured according to the mechanicalinput test device 140 to be tested.

In an embodiment of the invention, the transfer channels 1A to 1L areformed on the surface of the distribution unit 104. In such a case, aseparate transfer unit 240 may not be needed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the transfer channels 1A to 1L areformed on the surface of the integrated actuator array 242.

With reference to FIG. 11, the integrated actuator array 242 maycomprise pressure air outputs 3A to 3G on the sides of the integratedactuator array 242 for providing pressure air for device external to theintegrated actuator array 242. FIG. 11 further shows assembling bolts 4Ato 4D for fixing the integrated actuator array 242 to the pressure airregulator.

The pistons 260 are configured according to the mechanical input testdevice 140 to be tested.

Even though the invention has been described above with reference to anexample according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that theinvention is not restricted thereto but it can be modified in severalways within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A system for testing a mechanical input device of a wirelesstelecommunication device, wherein the system comprises a pressure airregulator comprising: a receive unit comprising an inlet aperture and afirst contact surface, the first contact surface comprising at least oneexit aperture connected to the inlet aperture; a distribution unitrotatably pivoted relative to the receive unit, the distribution unitcomprising a second contact surface, the second contact surfacecontacting the first contact surface and comprising at least twoentrance apertures located at a rotational trajectory of the at leastone exit aperture, the distribution unit further comprising at least twodistribution apertures, each connected to an entrance aperture, thusproviding pressure air when the entrance aperture overlaps with the exitaperture; and a rotating means for generating a relative rotation of thereceive unit and the distribution unit.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the first contact surface and the second contact surface arearranged to form an air-tight coupling in the proximity of the entranceaperture in order to reduce the pressure air from leaking to an entranceaperture which is in a non-overlapping position relative to the exitaperture.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system furthercomprises: pipes for conveying pressure air, each pipe connected to adistribution aperture; and a remote actuator array for pressing keys ofthe mechanical input device based on pressure air, the remote actuatorarray (comprising remote cylinders and remote pistons, each remotecylinder connected to a pipe.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein thesystem further comprises an integrated actuator array for pressing keysof the mechanical input device based on pressure air, the integratedactuator array being integrated into the pressure air regulator andoperationally coupled to the distribution unit, the integrated actuatorarray comprising integrated cylinders and pistons, each integratedcylinder being operationally connected to a distribution aperture. 5.The system of claim 4, wherein the system further comprises at least onetransfer channel for connecting an integrated cylinder to an entranceaperture, the transfer channel being arranged to transfer pressure airat the level of the second contact surface.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein the system comprises a transfer unit between the distributionunit and the actuator array, the transfer unit having the at least onetransfer channel as a groove on the surface of the transfer unit.
 7. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the distribution unit is arranged to form aspherically symmetric chamber, and the receive unit comprises aspherical disk-like structure fitted into the spherically symmetricchamber.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the distribution unit furthercomprises an air inlet through a side wall of the spherically symmetricchamber, the air inlet and the inlet aperture arranged to be in contactover a predetermined rotational angle of the distribution unit and thereceive unit.